Dual Citizenship Position Paper

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) was organized in October 2003 during the First Global Conference of Non-resident Nepalis in Kathmandu. It represents a global network of NRN National Coordination Councils, which are now 56, and other Nepali associations and organizations in various parts of the world. NRNA's objectives are to promote and protect the interests of NRNs in Nepal and abroad; foster coordination and co-operation among NRN communities worldwide; strengthen international support for Nepal and its people, products and services, trade and industry; NON-RESIDENT NEPALI ASSOCIATION attract and facilitate direct investments, financial and otherwise, in Nepal by NRNs and others for her development. With its motto of "for Nepali by Nepali," NRNA has u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ completed, initiated or planned a number of charitable projects in Nepal. It is headquartered in Kathmandu, where it maintains its secretariat with local staff. NRNA organizes a Global Conference of NRNs every two years in Nepal and a Regional NRN Conference every alternate year at a different location. The Fourth Regional Conference is taking place in May 2010 in Houston, Texaz, USA, while the Fifth Global Conference is scheduled for October 2011. u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;:yf+ -Pgcf/PgP_ cflZjg @)^) ;fndf sf7df8fdf+} kyd| u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ljZj ;Ddngsf] ] cj;/df :yflkt ePsf ] xf ] . o;n ] ljZje/L 5l/Psf xfn %^ j6f u/cfjf;Lo} /fli6o« ;dGjo kl/ifbx?\ -lkml/:t of ] kftfsf ] leqkl§ xg] ;{' _\ Pj + cGo ljleGg gkfnL] ;3;+ :yfx?sf+ ] ;hfnsf+ ] kltlglwTj| u5 { . Pgcf/PgPsf p2Zox?] xg' M\ gkfndf] tyf ljbzdf] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] xslxtsf ] ;/If0f+ Pj + kj4| g{ ug{;' ;;f/el/+ 5l/Psf gkfnL] ;dbfox?aLr' lgs6 ;xofu] / ;dGjo sfod ug;'{ gkfn,] gkfnL] hgtf, gkfnL] pTkfbg, ;jf,] pBfusf] nflu cGt/fli6{ o« ;xofu–;dy] gnfO{ { alnof ] agfpg'; gkfnsf] ] ljsf;sf nflu u/cfj;Lo} gkfnL] Pj + cGo ;f| tx?af6] gkfnsf] ] ljsf;sf nflu cflys{ Pj + cGo nufgLx? cfslift{ Pj + pknAw u/fpg ' . of ] ;:yfsf+ ] cfbzjfSo{ ægkfnLsf] ] nflu gkfnLåf/fÆ] xf ] / o;n ] gkfndf] ljleGg k/fksf/L] kl/ofhgfx?] sfofGjog{ ul/;ssf] ] 5 / ub5{} . o;sf ] :yfgLo sdrf/Lx?{ ;lxtsf ] dVo' sfofno{ sf7df8fdf+} 5 . of ] ;:yfn+ ] kTo| s] bO' { jifdf{ gkfndf] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] ljZj ;Ddng] / kTo| s] csf {] jifdf{ ljleGg :yfgdf IfqLo] ;Ddngsf] ] cfofhgf] u5 { . rfyf} ] IfqLo ;Ddng] hi7] @)^& df ;o+ Qm' /fHo cdl/sfsf] ] xo\ i6g," 6S;f;df] / kfrf“ +} ljZj ;Ddng] cfufdL cflZjg @)^* df cfoflht] xg' 5] . DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR NON-RESIDENT NEPALIS u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLsf] nflu bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Secretariat: FNCCI Building Shahid Shukra FNCCI Milan Marg POSITION PAPER Pachali, Teku cjwf/0ffkq PO Box 269, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (+977-1) 4215247/4262061 Fax: (+977-1) 4215247 APRIL 2010 E-mail: nrn.org.np Website: www.nrn.org.np rt} @)^^ NRNA TASK FORCE ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP (2009-11)

CHAIR Mr. Ram Pratap Thapa Germany [email protected]

VICE CHAIR Capt. (Retd.) Hit Man Gurung UK [email protected]

MEMBERS Mr. Bhaban Bhatta Japan [email protected] Ms. Kiran Kumari Bhattarai Canada [email protected] Dr. Jugal Bhurtel Russia [email protected] Dr. Dev Kaji Dangol Qatar [email protected] Dr. Sharmila Gurung Hong Kong [email protected] Mr. Bhim B. Karki USA [email protected] Mr. Deepak Khadka Australia [email protected] Mr. Ram Babu Nepal The Netherlands [email protected] Ms. Kabita Nirola The Netherlands [email protected]

ADVISORY PANEL This official NRNA Position Paper on dual citizenship was printed with voluntary financial Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam Nepal [email protected] contribution received from members of the NRNA Task Force on Dual Citizenship (TFDC). Ms. Kalpana Ghimire-Nourisson France [email protected] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;wsf+ ] of ] cflwsfl/s cjwf/0ffkq ;f ] ;wsf+ ] bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf ;DaGwL sfobnsf{ Mr. Dev Man Hirachan Japan [email protected] ;b:ox?sf ] :jlR5s} ljQLo cgbfgaf6' 5flkPsf ] xf ] . Mr. Naresh Koirala Canada [email protected] Dr. Upendra Mahato Belarus [email protected] Bishwa Kant Mainali, Esq. Nepal [email protected] Prof. Surya Subedi UK [email protected]

Copyright 2010 by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA). All rights reserved. This document may only be reproduced in its entirety and distributed for informational or lobbying and advocacy purposes. Excerpts may only be used with appropriate attribution.

The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is a single common organization of Nepalis who are residing outside of Nepal. It is involved in safeguarding the interest of non-resident Nepalis everywhere and encouraging them to be involved in the socio-economic development of Nepal. The NRNA has been campaigning for dual citizenship provision for Nepali-origin people who have acquired the citizenship of a foreign country. For advancing the cause further and lobbying appropriate authorities in Nepal, the NRNA International Coordination Council has formed a Task Force on Dual Citizenship, which prepared this Position Paper after a careful study of the relevant Nepali laws and practices of other countries. NRNA has adopted and published this Position Paper as an official statement of its position as regards dual citizenship for NRNs. The Task Force is grateful to all the NRNA officers, advisors and staff, the NRN National Coordination Councils, Task Force advisors, legal experts and individual Nepalis and NRNs who provided inputs to this Position Paper.

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NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 1

NON-RESIDENT NEPALI ASSOCIATION

Position Paper on

DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR NON-RESIDENT NEPALIS*

Context One of the principal goals of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has been to secure dual citizenship provision in Nepali laws for those Non-resident Nepalis (NRNs)1 who or whose spouse, mother or father, grandmother or grandfather, great grandmother or great grandfather held Nepali citizenship granted under the citizenship law of 2008 [1952 CE] or under the laws enacted thereafter and later acquired the citizenship of another country but wish to keep or acquire Nepali citizenship. NRNA remains firmly and unequivocally committed to the attainment of this important goal and believes in generally constructive, cooperative and collaborative approach toward achieving it. The current Citizenship Act of Nepal 2063 [2006 CE], Section 10(1), states: Any citizen of Nepal who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of any foreign country shall automatically lose the citizenship of Nepal.2 This provision, as well as the gender-based discrimination the Act prescribes in granting citizenship by descent (Sections 3(ii)), is inherently unfair and unjust and does not serve the interest of Nepal or the Nepali people in any way; it only imposes undue penalty and hardship on industrious, enterprising NRNs, who find it desirable or necessary to acquire foreign citizenship, and their children and grandchildren. It also proves to be an undeserved

* Prepared by NRNA Task Force on Dual Citizenship (TFDC) with input and endorsement from NRNA National Coordination Councils (NCCs), NRNA International Coordination Councils (ICC), NRNA executives and a large number of other NRNs. To be available at http://www.nrn.org.np 1 As defined in the Gairaabaasiya Nepali Sambandhi Ain 2064 (Non-Resident Nepali-related Act 2064 [2007 CE]), available at http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/nrn_act.pdf, NRN is a Nepali national, excluding Government of Nepal employees on assignment abroad and Nepali students studying in foreign educational institutions, who has been living in a country other than South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) members for at least two years. As defined in the Act, the term NRN also includes Foreign Nationals of Nepali Origin (FNNO). 2 Nepal Nagarikata Ain 2063 (Nepal Citizenship Act 2063 [2006 CE]). Available at http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/citizenship_act.pdf (in Nepali) and http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/citizenship_act_eng.pdf (English translation) 2 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

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penalty to those Nepalis whose near and dear ones happen to be Foreign National of Nepali Origin (FNNO).3

The number of NRNs (used here to include FNNOs as in the Act) directly, indirectly or potentially affected by the restrictive provision is growing very rapidly as the number of Nepalis going abroad in pursuit of educational, professional, business or employment opportunities has significantly increased. The number of ex-Gurkha soldiers settling outside of Nepal has dramatically increased. A provision to allow FNNOs, including the ex-Gurkha FNNOs, and their children and grandchildren to be dual citizens – through necessary amendments to the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063 and the Non- resident Nepali-related Act 2064 [2007 CE]4 will help rectify the unfairness and injustice to a great extent. As a serious stakeholder in the overall progress of Nepal, NRNs strongly believe that the new constitution should include provisions for dual citizenship as well as grant of citizenship by descent to children of Nepali male or female citizens. The result will undoubtedly be a win-win arrangement for both Nepal and NRNs.

Need, Benefits and International Trend Dual citizenship or dual nationality (used here interchangeably) provision for FNNOs will help them maintain their cherished relationship with Nepal and their family and friends and also provide them with impetus to invest in Nepal, thus contributing to Nepal’s overall development. In addition, it will encourage FNNOs and their children and grandchildren to build closer ties with Nepal, have a strong sense of belonging and preserve and take pride in their rich heritage. FNNOs and their children, many of whom are likely to occupy positions of leadership in their country of domicile, could be major catalysts in developing and strengthening trade, economic, cultural and educational ties between Nepal and countries of the world. Dual citizenship can be a strong incentive for many, many NRNs/FNNOs to return to Nepal. By allowing it, Nepal stands to benefit from a likely reversal of the brain drain that Nepal has been suffering for some time. Furthermore, dual citizenship could help reduce the current outflow of capital from the country believed by many to be largely due to the very restrictive citizenship and property laws and rules.

3 As defined in the Gair aabaasiya Nepali Sambandhi Ain 2064 (Non-resident Nepali-related Act 2064 [2007 CE]), available at http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/nrn_act.pdf, an FNNO (Foreign National of Nepali Origin) is a person, who or whose parent or parents or grandparent or grandparents held Nepali citizenship but subsequently acquired the citizenship of any foreign country other than SAARC members. The broader term NRN includes FNNO, as defined in the Act. 4 Gairaabaasiya Nepali Sambandhi Ain 2064 (Non-resident Nepali-related Act 2064 [2007 CE]). Available at http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/nrn_act.pdf 4 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

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Dual or multiple5 citizenship has proven to be one of the most effective instruments for accelerating socio-economic development of countries in the modern world. It can also help increase the opportunities and abilities of the Nepalis to compete more effectively in the international arena and build networks globally, without losing their bond with Nepal and support network. With accelerating globalization, more and more developing countries are realizing that providing the right to dual citizenship to their former citizens could help channel valuable resources into the country on an ongoing basis. More than 70 countries – including the 27 European Union countries, Canada, Australia, USA, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other developed and developing nations – currently allow or recognize dual citizenship in one form or another. We firmly believe that Nepal, which has endorsed all major international human rights treaties and agreements, should join these nations in recognizing dual citizenship.

Support and Prospects in Nepal Nepali political leaders, Constituent Assembly members, civil society leaders and government authorities — we have no doubt — recognize the basic unfairness and counter-productive effects of the automatic loss of citizenship provision and that of the absence of any provision for dual nationality in the prevailing Nepali laws. We further believe that they share our belief of once a Nepali, always a Nepali and are ready and willing to remedy the present anomaly and to let Nepal gain from the participation of NRNs in her all-around development. During the Third Global Conference of NRNs in Kathmandu in 2007, Girija Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal at the time, had publicly instructed the concerned government officials to craft a legal provision allowing dual citizenship to NRNs. This clearly reflects the ongoing support of the Nepali Congress Party for our dual citizenship goal. The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) in its manifesto for the Constituent Assembly election had stated that it supported the inclusion of a dual citizenship provision in the constitution. More recently, the UML Party’s Central Committee reportedly has decided to support the inclusion in the new constitution of a provision to the effect that NRNs will not automatically lose their Nepali citizenship upon acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country. The Madhesi People’s Right Forum has passed a resolution in support of dual citizenship in its national convention. The leaders of other political parties too have on many occasions assured NRNA representatives of their support for dual citizenship rights for NRNs. On the Nepali people’s part, there has never been any opposition to the NRNs’ demand for dual citizenship rights. Over the years, as the popular awareness

5 Dual citizenship and multiple citizenship are used here interchangeably. 6 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

;dfKt xg' ] kfjwfg| / bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] cefj bj' } cglrt' / cgTkfbs' 5g \ eGg ] tYo :jLsf/ ugx{' G5' eg/] xfdL ljZj:t 5f +} . pxfx?“ xfdf| ] æPs k6ssf ] gkfnL] ;w+ sf} ] gkfnLÆ] eÌ ] wf/0ffdf ;xdt xg' x' G5' / xfnsf ] lj;ultk+ 0f" { Joj:yfdf ;wf/' u/L gkfnnfO] { cfÏgf] ;jflu0f+{ ljsf;df u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] ;xeflutfåf/f nfeflGjt xg' lbg tTk/ xg' x' G5' eÌ ] klg xfdf| ] ljZjf; 5 . ;g \ @))& df sf7df8fdf}+ ePsf ] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLsf] ] t>f] ] ljZj ;Ddngdf] tTsflng kwfgdGqL| lul/hf k;fb| sfO/fnfn] ] bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] sfggL" kfjwfg| thdf'{ ug { ;DalGwt lgsfonfO { lgbzg{] lbg ' ePsf ] lyof ] . o;n ] gkfnL] sfu+ ;sf]| ] bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] kfjwfg| klt| ;dyg{ /xsf] ] ki6| xG5' . ;ljwfg;efsf+ ] lgjfrgsf{ nflu gkfn] PsLst[ sDolgi6' kf6L { -dfcfjflb_n] ] hf/L u/sf] ] 3fif0ffkqdf] g } bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf] k|fjwfgnfO{ ;dfj]z ul/Psf] 5 . xfn;fn} g]kfn sDo'lgi6 kf6L{ PsLs[t -dfs{;jfbL– nlggjfbL_sf] ] sGb] Lo| ;ldltn ] klg gof “ ;ljwfgdf+ ;fljsdf gkfnL] gful/s /xsf] JolQmx?n] ljbzL] gful/stf lnPdf gkfnsf] ] gful/stf TofUg ' gkg {] kfjwfgnfO| { ;dyg{ ug {] k:tfj| kfl/t u/sf] ] eGg ] hfGgdf cfPsf ] 5 . dw;L] hgclwsf/ kmf/dn] ] klg cfÏgf ] dxflwjzgaf6] g } bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] kIfdf k:tfj| kfl/t u/sf] ] 5 .

cGo bnsf gtfx?n] ] klg u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;wsf+ kltlglwx?nfO| { cfkmn' ] bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf] ;dy{g ug]{ s'/fdf w]/} k6s cfZj:t kfg'{ ePsf] 5 . u}/cfjf;Lo g]kfnLx?sf] bfxf]/f] gful/stfsf ] dfusf ] af/df] gkfnL] hgtfsf ] tkmaf6{ slxn ] klg la/fw] ePsf ] 5g} . ljutsf jifx?df{ u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?;] u+ ;DjWb gkfnLx?sf] ] ;Vofdf+ w/] } jl4[ ePsf ] 5, o;n ] ubf{ gkfndf] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;DjGwL ;rtgfdf] lgs } 7nf" ] clejl4[ ePsf ] 5 . kmn:j?k bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] ;fjhlgs{ ;dygdf{ cem } a9fQ/L] ePsf ] 5 .

gful/stf P]g @)^# df ;+zf]wg u/L ljb]zL d'n'ssf] gful/stf lng] g]kfnLn] g]kfnL gful/stf sfod /fVg kfpg ] Joj:yfsf ;fy } u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;DaGwL Pg] @)^$ df ;zf+ wg] u/L jzhsf+ ] cfwf/df gful/stf lbbf+ ul/g ] clxnsf] ] nlus+} kIfkftsf ] Jojxf/ cGTo ePdf g]kfnL gful/stf sfg"g klg w]/} ljsl;t Pj+ ljsf;f]Gd'v d'n'sx?sf] k|rng cg;f/sf' ] xg' ] 5 . o:tf ] Pg] ;zf+ wg] / goF “ aGg ] ;ljwfgdf+ g } bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] ki6| Joj:yf ePdf w/] } u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?] gkfnsf] ] ljsf;df ;xefuL xg' clekl/t]| xg' 5g] \ . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ kj" { uf/vf] ;lgsx?n} ] ljZjdf gkfnsf] ] 5jL lgdf0f{ ugdf{ u/sf] ] bgsf] ] sb/ :j?k klg pgLx?sf nflu klg bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] Joj:yfnfO { dfGotf lbOg' kb5{ eÌ ] tLj | wf/0ff /fVb5 . ;fy } gful/stf Pg] @)^# df ;zf+ wg] u/L ljbzL] k?if;' u+ ljjfx ug {] gkfnL] dlxnf gful/ssf ;tfg+ / kltnfO { klg clus+ t[ gful/stf lbbf+ ul/g] c;dfg Jojxf/sf ] cGTo ug {' jf~5gLo blvG5] . NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 7

of the people on the NRN issues has increased, partly because of the rapidly growing number of families connected with NRNs, popular support for dual citizenship rights has greatly increased in Nepal.

The proposed amendments – to the Citizenship Act 2063 to allow FNNOs to keep their Nepali citizenship rights and the NRN-related Act 2064 along with the removal of the gender-based discrimination in the grant of citizenship by descent – and the inclusion of a dual citizenship provision in the new constitution being written will not only bring Nepali citizenship law more in line with that of many other developed and developing nations but will also attract and encourage NRNs to be engaged in Nepal’s development. We in the NRNA strongly believe that Nepal owes, as part of its debt of gratitude, dual citizenship rights to the large number of ex-Gurkhas who have become FNNOs. The Citizenship Act 2063 should also be amended to remove the gender- based discrimination against the children of Nepali female citizens married to a foreign citizen in granting citizenship by descent, as well as the discrimination against foreign male citizens married to Nepali female citizens in granting of citizenship by naturalization.

The issues of loyalty and allegiance of persons with dual citizenship along with issues related to passports, legal jurisdiction, taxes, consular services and other legal technicalities can all be addressed detail in the relevant laws and rules in tune with the norms and practices prevailing in nations that have similar provisions. Naturally, once the FNNOs are granted dual citizenship, it will be the individual FNNO’s responsibility to make sure that his or her country of nationality allows or accepts dual citizenship, and that he or she is in compliance with the laws of Nepal as well as those of the adopted country. An FNNO who has a Nepali passport might be required to use his or her Nepali passport when entering or leaving Nepal. Furthermore, under dual citizenship, an FNNO who has not relinquished his or her Nepali citizenship would be treated on par with other Nepalis and be governed by the local laws and rules. Such FNNO might only be allowed to receive very little or no consular services from their country of nationality.

The Interim Constitution of Nepal (Part 2, Article 10) states that the acquisition and termination of citizenship and other necessary arrangements shall be in accordance with the existing law.6 Thus, our understanding is that the NRNs can be granted dual citizenship

6 Nepalko antarim sambidhaan 2063 (Interim Constitution of Nepal 2063 [2007 CE]), as amended by the First, Second and Third Amendments. Available-at http://www.unmin.org.np/downloads/keydocs/Interim.Constitution.Bilingual.UNDP.pdf 8 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

bf]xf]/f] gful/stf ePsf JolQmx?sf] lgi7f Pj+ jkmfbf/L tyf pgLx?n] kfpg] /fxbfgLsf] k|of]u, pgLx?nfO{ nfUg] sfg"g, s/, k|fKt x'g ;Sg] sG;'n/ ;]jf tyf cGo s'/fx? lj:t[t ?kdf bf]xf]/f] gful/stfsf] l;4fGt :jLsf/ u/]sf c? /fi6«n] ckgfPsf] k|rng cg';f/ ;DalGwt P]g lgodaf6 lgw{f/0f ug{ ;lsG5 . :jefljs ?kdf g]kfnn] bf]xf]/f] gful/stfsf] l;4fGt :jLsf/ u/] kZrft ;DalGwt d'n'ssf] sfg"g cg';f/ bf]xf]/f] gful/stf /fVg x'g] gx'g] s'/fsf] ;'lglZrttf ug{' tyf g]kfnsf] ;fy;fy} cfkm"n] ckgfPsf] d'n'ssf] sfg"gsf] kfngf cflb s'/fx? ;DalGwt JolQms} bfloTj x'g]5 . ljb]zL gful/stf ePsf t/ g]kfnsf] gful/stf sfod /fVg] JolQmx?nfO{ g]kfn leq+bf jf g]kfnaf6 jflx/ hf+bf clgjfo{ ?kdf g]kfns} /fxbfgL k|of]u ug{' kg]{ Joj:yf ug{ ;lsG5 . To:t} g]kfnL gful/stf gTofu]sf ljb]zL gful/sx?nfO{ c? g]kfnL gful/s ;/xsf] Jojxf/ ul/g] / g]kfnL lgod sfg"g g} nfUg] k|fjwfg klg /fVg ;lsG5 . o:tf JolQmn] g]kfndf /x+bf ;DalGwt d'n'saf6 sG;'n/ ;]jf lng gkfpg] jf Hofb} sd dfqfdf dfq lng kfpg] Joj:yf klg ug{ ;lsG5 .

gkfnsf] ] cGtl/d ;ljwfgn+ ] gful/stf ;DaGwdf lgDg Joj:yf u/sf] ] 5 -;ljwfgsf+ ] efu @ wf/f !)_M ægful/stfsf ] kflKt| / ;dflKt nufot cfjZos cGo Joj:yf krlnt| sfgg" adflhd] xg' 5] .Æ ctM cGtl/d ;ljwfgsf+ ] Joj:yfn ] gful/stf Pg] @)^# df ;zf+ wg] u//] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?nfO] { bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf lbg ldN5 eGg ] a´fO' xfdf| ] 5 . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ /fi6sf« ] ljwfoLsfnfO { / ;/sf/nfO { Jojxf/df sg' } g sg' } ?kdf bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf] krng| ePsf ] aem' /] cfjZos sfggL" ;zf+ wg] ug { cfux| ub5{ . ;fy } gof “ aGg ] ;ljwfgdf+ g} bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] ki6| Joj:yf xg' ' k5 { eÌ ] xfdf| ] tLj | wf/0ff 5 . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3n+ ] ljZje/Lsf gkfnLx?;] u+ ;´fj' ;sng+ u/L tof/ kf//] ;ljwfg+ ;efnfO { a´fPsf' ] ;ljwfg+ ;DaGwL ;´fjdf' klg bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] kfjwfg| /fVg ' kg {] ki6| ;´fj' /xsf] ] 5 . gof“ aGg ] ;ljwfgdf+ ljbzL] dn' ssf' ] gful/stf kfKt| ubdf{} sg' } gkfnL] gful/sn ] klg gkfnsf] ] gful/stf TofUg jf udfpg' ' gkg {] ki6| pNnv] xg' ' kb5{ . To:t } dlxnf jf k?if' gkfnL] gful/s hf;] s' sf} ;Gtfgn ] klg gkfnsf] ] jzh+ gful/stf kfpg ] Joj:yf :ki6 lnlvt xg' k5' { tfls To:tf s6fs] 6Lx?] /fHoljxLg xgaf6' hflug] ] 5g \ . gof “ ;ljwfgdf+ gful/stfsf ] kflKt| / ;dflKtsf ;DaGwdf cGtl/d ;ljwfgs+ } efu @ wf/f !) kfjwfg| /fVgk5' { eGg ] xfdf| ] ljZjf; 5 . o; kfjwfgn| ] æPs k6ssf ] gkfnL] ;w+ sf} ] gkfnLÆ] sf ] cfwf/et" efjgfnfO{ ;fsf/ u/fp5“ / gful/stf tyf u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;DjGwL Pgx?] lgdf0f{ Pj + ;zf+ wg] ug{] sfd ;ljwfg+ ;zf+ wgsf] ] nfdf ] / hl6n ks| of[ kf/ gul/sg } /fli6o« Joj:yflksfn ] ug { ;Sg] cj:yf l;hgf{ xg' 5] . NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 9

rights through an amendment to the Citizenship Act of Nepal 2063, and we strongly urge the national legislature and the government to recognize the existence in practice of dual citizenship of some sort and make the necessary amendment. At the same time we strongly believe that the new constitution being drafted should include the dual citizenship provision. Indeed, this was one of the suggestions made by NRNs in many, many countries and included in NRNA’s Suggestions submitted to the Constituent Assembly of Nepal on the framework of the future Constitution of Nepal.7 The new constitution should include an unequivocal statement that no Nepali citizen would ever be required to automatically lose or involuntarily relinquish his or her Nepali citizenship because he or she acquired a foreign citizenship. The new constitution should also guarantee the citizenship right to children whose parent or parents, male or female, were Nepali citizens, in order to keep them from becoming stateless at some point.8 We strongly believe, further, that the new constitution should incorporate Part 2, Article 10, of the Interim Constitution as is. This will, on the one hand, enshrine in the constitution the fundamental concept of once a Nepali, always a Nepali and, on the other hand, allow the national legislature to make or amend citizenship- and NRN-related laws as necessary – without having to go through the necessarily complicated and lengthy process of constitutional amendment.

NRN Identity Card We acknowledge the NRN Identity Card (NRN ID Card) that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only recently begun issuing is a step in the right direction toward our goal of dual citizenship. The ID Card, as provided for in the Non-resident Nepali-related Act 2064 [2007], gives its holder only very limited rights or privileges. At the same time, we must note that the rules governing the ID Card seem to require applicants to go through some bureaucratic hoops to obtain it.9 The application procedure has turned out to be inefficient and cumbersome. This is likely to deter many prospective applicants and unnecessarily constrains its usefulness to NRNs. In spite of its limitations, the ID Card

7 Sambidhaan sabhaalaai Nepalko bhaabi sambidhaanko ruparekha sambandhamaa Gair Aabaasiya Sanghko sujhaab (Suggestions submitted to the Constituent Assembly of Nepal on the framework of the future Constitution of Nepal). Available at http://www.nrn.org.np/sambidhan/final_suggestion_nepali.pdf (in Nepali) and http://www.nrn.org.np/sambidhan/final_suggestion_english.pdf (English translation) 8 UNHCR, Preventing statelessness in Nepal: Concerns regarding the draft constitution, February 2010. Retrieved from http://ccd.org.np/new/resources/ State lessness%20 and %20 the %20 Constitution_UNHCR_Feb_2010.ENG.pdf 9 Gair aabaasiya Nepali sambandhi niyamaawali 2066 (Rules Pertaining to Non-resident Nepalis 2066 [2009CE]). Available at http://www.nrn.org.np/downloads/nrn_niyamabali.pdf 10 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] kl/rokq k//fi6 « dGqfnon ] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sfnflu] xfn } hf/L ug { yfnsf] ] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] kl/rokq cyjf sf8 { bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf kfKt| ug {] xfdf| ] nIf tkm { Ps ;sf/fTds kxn xf ] . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;DaGwL Pg] @)^$ cGtut{ kbfg| ul/g ] o; kl/rokqn ] o;sf jfxsnfO{ clt g } ;Lldt xs cyjf ;xlnot' lbPsf ] 5 . of ] kl/rokq kfKt| ug { lgod cg;f/' cfjbsx?n] ] sxL] cK7/fx?] kf/ ug {' kg {] Joj:yf 5 . cfjbg] lbg ] ks| of[ 5l/tf ] / ;ud' 5g} . o;n] w]/} u}/cfjf;Lo g]kfnLx?nfO{ bRsfpg] 5 / sf8{sf] pkof]lutf cgfjZos ?kdf ;Lldt kfg {] 5 . sf8sf{ sdhf/Lx?sf] ] afjhb" gkfn;] u“ 3lgi7 ;DaGw /fVg ] Pp6f dfWodsf] ?kdf of ] w/] } u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?] tyf pgsf ;GttLnfO { tfTsflns ?kdf pkofuL] xg' 5] . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] gkfnjf;L] ;DaGwLx?nfO { klg sf8 { Joj:yf :jfutofUo] nfUg ] 5 . oBlk xfdf| ] ljrf/df of ] sf8sf{ ] sfofGjog{ c´ } ck/f' ] /xsf] n] ] o;n ] ;a } efjL cfjbsx?] / pgLx?sf ;fwg ;f| tnfO] { cfsif0f{ ug { ;Sg ] ;Defjgf sd 5 .

of ] kl/rokq p2Zo] Pj + kl/sNkgfdf ef/tLo ;/sf/n ] krngdf| NofPsf ] ef/tLo dnsf" ] JolQmsf ] kl/rokq -Person of Indian Origin Card_ cyft{ kLcfOcf ] sf8;{ u+ ldNbf ] hNbf' ] 5 . ;g \ !((( df ef/tLo ;/sf/n ] of ] sf8 { ;?' ubf { ef/t xfn gkfndf] h:t } cj:yfaf6 uh' sf]| ] lyof ] . t/ ef/tLo sf8 { jfxsn ] gkfn] ;/sf/n ] hf/L u/sf] ] kl/rokq jfxsn ] eGbf a9L ;ljwf' kfp5g“ \ / hf/L ug {] ks| of[ klg a9L ki6| 5 . kLcfOcf ] sf8 { / ttkZrft\ ;g\ @))% df ;?' ul/Psf ] ef/tLo ljbzL] gful/s kl/rokq -Overseas Citizen of India_ cyft{ cf;LcfO] sf8 { lgs } kefjsf/L| ljsNk ePsf 5g \ .

kLcfOcf ] sf8sf{ ] cjlw !% jifsf{ ] 5 eg ] cf;LcfO] sf8sf{ ] cjlw cflhjg xG5' . cf;LcfO] sf8 { jfxsn ] ef/tdf a:g, sfd ug,{ cWoog ug { / ef/tdf tflsPsf] ] Ifqdf] jfxs] cGoq lgjz] ug { Pj + ;DklQ /fVg cl;ldt clwsf/ kfKt| ub5g{ \ . sf8 { jfxsn ] dt lbg ] / ;/sf/L ;jfdf] kj| z] ug {] /fhglts} clwsf/ pkefu] ug { ;Qmgg} \ . gkfn] ;/sf/n ] klg cGtl/d Joj:yfsf ?kdf cf;LcfO] sf8 { h:t } clwsf/ ePsf ] sf8sf{ ] yfngL ug { ug {' k5 { eGg ] xfdf| ] wf/0ff 5 . of ] Joj:yf ;?' ePdf sltko gkfnL] dnsf" ljbzL] gful/ssf ] cfjZostf k/klt" { xg' 5] . o:tf ] Joj:yf ePdf ljbzL] gful/stf lnPsf gftbf/] ePsf w/] } gkfnL] gful/sx? klg vzL' xg' 5g] \ . ;asf} ] cfjZostf Ps } gxg' ] xgfn' ] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] kl/rokqsf ] ;fy} cf;LcfO] ksf/sf| ] sf8 { / bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] ;dt] Joj:yf ePdf oL tLg Jofjxfl/s Pj+ hfoh ljsNkx?af6 ;DalGwt ;asf} ] cfjZostf k/f' xg' 5] / gkfnn] ] klg cTolws nfe lng ;Sg5] . gkfn] ;/sf/n ] ;?' u/sf] ] sf8 { / ef/tLo ;/sf/n ] lbg ] kLcfOcf ] sf8df{ leGgtf ki6| blvG5] . gkfnn] ] lbg ] sf8sf{ ] cjlw !) jifsf{ ] 5 eg ] kLcfOcf ] sf8sf{ ] cjlw NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 11

should be of immediate help to many, many NRNs since it can be one of the means of encouraging the NRNs and their children and grandchildren to build and sustain a strong bond with Nepal. It would clearly be welcomed by many of the Nepalis who are related to NRNs in some way or other. However, we see the ID Card implementation in its present form as seriously flawed and not very effective to attract all the prospective applicants and the resources they could potentially bring into country.

The ID Card, in its purpose and concept, is quite similar to the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card that the Government of India is providing. The Government of India , faced with somewhat similar situation when it started issuing the PIO Card in 1999.10 However, India’s PIO Card, confers substantially more to its holder, and involves a more streamlined process. The PIO Card and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, which was introduced in 2005, operate as effective alternatives. Unlike the PIO Card, which has 15-year validity, the OCI Card is granted for life and allows its holder to indefinitely live, work, study or invest in India and own property in India with a few exceptions.11 OCI Card does not include political rights, such as voting rights or government employment.12 We believe the Government of Nepal should devise and implement a mechanism similar to the OCI Card – for the interim and as an alternative to the NRN ID Card – so that the interest and immediate need of a large number of FNNOs would be served. This will also be welcomed by the many, many Nepalis who are related to NRNs. Since one size does not fit all, as it were, the availability of the three options, namely, the NRN ID Card, an OCI-type mechanism and dual citizenship, offer practical, reasonable options and, if properly implemented, should satisfy the needs of the NRNs/FNNOs and their family and friends in Nepal while maximally benefiting Nepal.

A few differences between our ID Card and the PIO Card are striking. For example, our ID Card’s validity is 10 years compared to the current PIO’s validity of 15 years. The PIO Card fees currently are Indian Rupees 15,000, or equivalent in local currency, for adult applicants and Indian Rupees 7,500, or equivalent in local currency, for applicants younger than 18 years. These fees roughly convert to Nepali Rupees 24,000 and 12,000, respectively. The equivalent being charged by Indian missions in

10 Description available at http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/4PassportPioOci/PIO/PIO_Eligibility_Benefits.html 11 OCI Card fee is US$275 or equivalent in local currency, but only US$25 for PIO Card holders. 12 Brief description available at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsdualnation.html 12 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

!% jifsf{ ] 5 . kLcfOcf ] sf8 { lng nfUg ] zNs' jo:s gful/ssf nfuL ef? !%,))) / !* jif { eGbf dlgsf' nflu ef? &,%)) tflsPsf] ] 5 hg' g?] @$,))) / !@,))) xg' cfp5“ . xfn oL zNsx?' cdl/sfdf] qmdzM #^% / !*% 8n/ 5g \ . t/ gkfn] ;/sf/n ] krngdf| NofPsf ] sf8sf{ ] zNs' o/f' k,] cdl/sf] / hfkfg sf nflu g?] #*,))) xhf/ -%)) cdl/sL] 8n/_ cGo dn' ssf' nflu g?] !(,))) -@%) cdl/sL] 8n/_ tflsPsf] ] 5 . pd/sf] ] cfwf/df 56' lbg ] sg' } kfjwfg| 5g} . jo:s / gfjflnusf nflu Pp6 } zNs' /fVg ' hfoh blv] b+ g} . of] z'NsnfO{ g]kfnL /fxbfgLsf] z'Nss} xf/fxf/Ldf /fVg' pko'Qm b]lvG5 . olb of] sf8{nfO{ cTolws u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] nflu cfsifs{ / pkofuL] agfpg ] xf ] / o;sf ] p2ZonfO] { ;kmn agfpg ] xf ] eg ] o;sf ;a } ks| ofsf[ ] uxg kg/fjnf' sg] u/L oyfzL3 | sf8 { hf/L ug{] ks| ofdf[ ;wf/' ug { cfjZos 5 . ;xh / ;ud' ks| of[ agfOg ' kb5{ . o; ;Gbedf{ ;xsfo{ ug { ;bf h:t } u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ tof/ 5 . clxn ] g } ;3n+ ] sf8 { hf/L ks| ofsf[ ] cWoog u/L ;wf/sf' ] nflu ;´fj' tof/ kfg { Pp6f lgu/fgL 6fnL] v8f u//] Pp6f /rgfTds sbd rfln;ssf] ] 5 .

;emfj' u}/cfjf;Lo g]kfnLx? gof“ g]kfnsf] lgd{f0fdf ;lDdlnt x'g] cj;/ rfxG5g\ . bf]xf]/f] gful/stfsf ] Joj:yf nfu ' ePdf gkfnsf] ] ljsf;df ;so[ ;xefuL xg' pgLx?nfO { c´ a9L k/0ff]| ldNg5] . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?] / pgLx?sf ;GtltnfO { gkfn;] usf+ ] ;DaGw cv08 / ljsl;t agfO/fVg xf;nf} / ;xofu] ldNg ] 5 / pgLx? cfkmgf\ ] gkfnL] dn" klt| uf/j} dxz;' ug5g{] \ . bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] kfjwfgn| ] gkfn] / gkfnLnfO] { klg kmfObf lbg5] . u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?nfO] { bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf lbbf+ gkfnnfO] { nfe dfq 5, sg' } xfgL 5g} . u}/cfjf;Lo g]kfnLx?sf nflu g]kfn cfjZos 5 / g]kfnsf] nflu u}/cfjf;Lo g]kfnL] cfjZos 5g \ . bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] Joj:yfn ] of ] cflus+ ;DaGwsf ] ljsf;df ;xofu] kUg' ] 5 . gkfnsf] ] /fli6o« Joj:yflksf / gkfn] ;/sf/n ] o; s/fnfO' { oyflrt] Wofg lbg ] 5g \ / u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] / ltgsf glhssf gftbf/x?sf] nflu ;?' ul/Psf sfox?nfO{ { c´ ljsl;t ?k lbg ] 5g \ eGg ] ljZjf; xfdf| ] 5 .

u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ gkfnsf] ] ;ljwfg+ ;ef, Joj:yflksf ;;b+ \ / gkfn] ;/sf/nfO { lgDg tLg s/fx?df' Wofg lbO oyfzSo rf8f“ ] sbd rfNg cfux| ub5{ . o; sfddf ;xsfo { ug{ ;bf ´ }+ of ] ;3+ tTk/ 5 . NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 13

the US Dollars are 365 and 185, respectively.13 In sharp contrast, the ID Card fees are US$500 (Nepali Rupees 38,000) for applicants from North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea and US$250 (Nepali Rupees 19,000) for applicants from elsewhere – without regard to the applicant’s age. It is clearly unfair that the ID Card fees should be the same for children and for adults. The ID Card’s fee structure among other things is particularly rough and unfair on NRNs with children. We believe the fees should be in line with the passport fees paid by Nepali citizens. The ID Card provision and related rules and procedures should be carefully reviewed as soon as possible and made more smooth, efficient and reasonable, if it is to be attractive and useful to the largest number of NRNs and if its purpose is not to be defeated. In keeping with its standing offer and practice, NRNA will work with the Government in this context. Indeed, NRNA has already taken a constructive step by setting up an NRN Card Monitoring Team, whose work can be expected to help in improving the Card provision and its implementation.

Recommendation NRNs seek the opportunity to contribute to the construction of a new Nepal. Provision of dual citizenship rights will encourage FNNOs, and NRNs in general, to be active partners in the transformational process of the country. It will help NRNs and their children and grandchildren to maintain or promote closer ties with Nepal and preserve and take pride in their rich heritage. Dual citizenship for NRNs will also serve the interest of Nepal and its people. Nepal has nothing to lose but everything to gain by providing dual citizenship rights to NRNs. Nepal needs NRNs, NRNs need Nepal; dual citizenship nurtures the natural bond. We fervently hope the national legislature and the Government of Nepal recognize these facts and keep building on what has already been done for NRNs and their near and dear ones in Nepal. At the same time as NRNA vigorously pursues its dual citizenship goal, it strongly urges the Constituent Assembly, the Legislature Parliament and the Government of Nepal to give serious and immediate consideration to taking the following three practical and meaningful steps. NRNs stand ready as always to work closely with the Constituent Assembly and the government to realize these steps.

13 When introduced in 1999 CE, the PIO Card’s fee was US$1,000 and had a validity of 20 years. In 2002, however, the fee was reduced to US$365 for adults and US$185 for applicants under the age 18 and the validity to 15 years. Information retrieved from http://www.cgisf.org/releases/pio_press.html 14 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

-!_ gkfn] gful/stf Pg] @)^# df lgDg cg;f/sf' ] ;zf+ wg] ugM{] -s_ :jR5fn] ] ljbzL] dn' ssf' ] gful/stf lnb+ df} gkfnsf] ] gful/stf :jtM ;dfKt xg' ] cyjf clgjfo { ?kdf TofUgkg' {] kfjwfg| vf/h] ug {] . -v_ ljbzL] gful/stf lnPsf ;fljsdf gful/stf Pg] @)^# cyjf gful/stf Pg] @)!( cyjf To;cl3sf sg' } klg Pg] cg;f/' gful/stf kfPsf gkfnL] gful/sx?n ] cfkmgf\ ] gkfnL] gful/stf sfod /fVg jf kgM' sfod ug { kfpg ] Joj:yf sfggaf6" ug {] . -u_ gful/stf ;DaGwL nlus+} kIfkft kj" k{ |efjL tj/n ] -cyft{ ljutsf ] ldlt blv] g} nfu " xg' ] u/L_ cGTo ug {] . o;sf nflu ljbzL] gful/s;u“ ljjflxt gkfnL] dlxnf gful/ssf ;tfgn+ ] jzhsf+ ] cfwf/df gkfnL] gful/stf kfpg ;Sg ] kj" k{ efjL| Joj:yf ug {] / gkfnL] dlxnf gful/ssf ljbzL] kltn ] klg gkfnL] k?if' gful/ssf ljbzL] kTgL h:t } u/L clus+ t[ gful/stf kfpg ;Sg ] kj" k{ efjL| Joj:yf ug {] . -3_ gful/stf Pg] @))* cyjf To; kl5sf ] sg' } gful/stf Pg] cg;f/' gful/stf kfKt| gkfnL] gful/s tyf pgLx?sf klt kTgL, afa ' cfdf, afh ] aHo,} 5f/f] 5f/L,] gflt gfltgL / kgflt kgfltgLn ] gkfnL] gful/stf sfod /fVg cyjf kgM' kfKt| ug { ;Sg ] Joj:yf ug {] . -@_ gof“ aGg] ;+ljwfgdf xfn ljb]zL d'n'ssf] gful/stf ePsf t/ ;fljsdf g]kfnL gful/stf Pg] @))* cyjf ttkZrft\ agsf] gful/stf Pg] cGtut{ gkfnL] gful/stf kfPsf u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?nfO] { jf ltgsf klt kTgL, afa ' cfdf, afh ] aHo,} 5f/f] 5f/L,] gflt gfltgL, kgflt kgfltgLsf nflu bfxf] /f] ] gful/stfsf ] ki6| Joj:yf ul/g' kb5{ . of ] s/f' clxn ] jtdfg{ l:yltdf ;ej+ jf Jofjxfl/s geP gof “ aGg ] ;ljwfgdf+ lgDg Joj:yf /flvg ' k5 { M -s_ gkfnL] gful/stfsf ] kflKt,| ;dflKt / cGo Joj:yf krlnt| sfggn" ] tfs] ] adflhd] xg' ] u/L Joj:yf ug {] cyft{ cGtl/d ;ljwfgsf+ ] efu @ wf/f !) sf ] Joj:yf oyfjt sfod /fVg ] . -v_ dfly @-s_ df h:tf ] nlvPsf] ] eP klg ljbzL] dn' ssf' ] gful/stf lng ] ;fljsdf gkfnL] gful/stf Pg] @))* jf To;kl5 agsf] gful/stf Pg] cGtut{ gful/stf kfPsf u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?n] ] :jR5fn] ] gkfnL] gful/stf Tofudf] afxs] gkfnL] gful/stf :jtM vf/h] gxg' ] jf clgjfo { ?kdf TofUg ' gkg {] Joj:yf ki6| pNnv] ug {] . -#_ u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ] kl/rokqsf ] ;du | ?kdf kg/fjnf' sg] u/L o;nfO { a9L pkofuL,] kefjsf/L| / ;ud' agfpgsf' ;fy } a9L ; ] a9L u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?nfO] { ;d6] g\ ;Sg] u/L ;wf/' ug ]{ . o;/L kl/rokqsf ] zNs,' cfjbg] ks| of[ Pj + lgod, ofUotf] cflbnfO{ ;ud,' ;xh, hfoh / l56f5l/tf] ] agfpg ] .

NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 15

(1) Amend the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063 [2006 CE] to (a) drop the provision that requires FNNOs or NRNs to automatically lose or are forced to involuntarily renounce Nepali citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship; (b) allow FNNOs who held citizenship under the current Citizenship Act of Nepal 2063 [2006 CE] or the Citizenship Act of 2019 [1962 CE] or any preceding citizenship laws of Nepal to keep their Nepali citizenship or re- acquire it in the prescribed manner; (c) end, retroactively, the gender-based discrimination against the children of Nepali female citizens married to foreign citizens in granting citizenship by descent, as well as the discrimination against foreign nationals married to Nepali female citizens and wishing to acquire Nepali citizenship by naturalization; and (d) provide for FNNOs, their spouse, their mother or father, grandmother or grandfather, their children, grandchildren or great grandchildren to keep their Nepali citizenship, granted under the citizenship law of 2008 [1952 CE] or any of the subsequent laws, or acquire it by descent or naturalization as the case may be. (2) The new constitution should include provision for dual citizenship for FNNOs who or whose spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, held Nepali citizenship under the Nepali citizenship law of 2008 [1952 CE] or any of the subsequent laws. If this is somehow impractical or impossible at this time, the new constitution should include the following two provisions: (a) The grant, acquisition, loss or termination of citizenship and other necessary arrangements shall be in accordance with the prevalent laws of Nepal (same as Part 2, Article 10, of the current Interim Constitution). (b) Notwithstanding the provision in 2(a) above, no Nepali citizen shall be required to automatically lose or involuntarily relinquish his or her Nepali citizenship, whether acquired under the citizenship law of 2008 [1952 CE] or any of the subsequent laws, because he or she acquired foreign citizenship. (3) Review the NRN ID Card provision and its implementation in its entirety to make it more useful, meaningful and accessible to the majority of NRNs, and make its terms, fee structure, process and procedures more smooth, efficient, reasonable and user-friendly.

16 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

NON-RESIDENT NEPALI ASSOCIATION COUNCIL OF PATRONS Dr. Upendra Mahato Chief Patron [email protected] Mr. Ram Pratap Thapa Patron [email protected] Mr. Bhim Udas Patron [email protected] INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL OFFICE BEARERS (2009-11) Mr. Dev Man Hirachan President [email protected] Mr. Jiba Nath Lamichhane Vice President [email protected] Mr. Sagar Nepal Vice President [email protected] Mr. Ratan Jha General Secretary [email protected] Mr. Tenzi Sherpa Secretary [email protected] Mr. Rameshwar Shah Treasurer [email protected] Dr. Kumar Basnet Spokesperson [email protected] REGIONAL COORDINATORS Dr. Ambika Prasad Adhikari Americas [email protected] Capt. (Retd.) Hit Man Gurung Europe [email protected] Mr. Ganesh Kumar Ijam Asia Pacific [email protected] Mr. Goba Katuwal Oceania [email protected] Mr. Badri Prasad Pandey Middle East [email protected] Ms. Ranjana Udas Africa [email protected] DEPUTY REGIONAL COORDINATORS Mr. Bidur Ghimire Africa [email protected] Mr. Mohammed Din Miya (Raju Sayed) Middle East [email protected] Dr. Drona Prakash Rasali Americas [email protected] Mr. Rudra Sharma Asia Pacific [email protected] Mr. Rabindra Man Shrestha Europe [email protected] Mr. Tribhuwan Shrestha Oceania [email protected] WOMEN'S AFFAIRS Ms. Usha Sharma Coordinator [email protected] Ms. Ranju Thapa Deputy Coordinator [email protected] YOUTH AFFAIRS Mr. Bhabani Oli Coordinator [email protected] Mr. Pukar Malla Deputy Coordinator [email protected] MEMBERS Dr. Raju Adhikari Australia [email protected] Mr. Harihar Aryal France [email protected] Mr. Sharda Baraily The Netherlands [email protected] Dr. Devi Basnet Korea [email protected] Mr. Shankar P. Bhandari UK [email protected] Mr. Janak Kumar Basnet Isle of Man [email protected] Ms. Radha Basnyat Canada [email protected] Ms. Yasmin Begum Saudi Arabia [email protected] NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship 17

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL (Cont'd) MEMBERS

Mr. Ram Bahadur Belbase Saudi Arabia [email protected] Mr. Ram Bahadur Bhandari Italy [email protected] Mr. Mr. Bimal Prasad Dhakal Ukraine [email protected] Mr. Ganesh Dhakal Denmark [email protected] Dr. Pramod Dhakal Canada [email protected] Mr. Lekhnath Dahal Lebanon [email protected] Dr. Krishna Hamal Australia [email protected] Mr. Makar Bahadur Hamal Portugal [email protected] Mr. Lachhya Bahadur Gurung UK [email protected] Mr. Sushil Gyanwali Finland [email protected] Mr. J. N. Gyawali Hong Kong [email protected] Mr. Rajen Kandel UK [email protected] Dr. Badri K.C. Russia [email protected] Ms. Sharmila K.C. South Africa [email protected] Mr. Ram Lal Kandel Spain [email protected] Mr. Rajan Kunwar Kuwait [email protected] Mr. Sonam Lama USA [email protected] Mr. P.S. Limboo UAE [email protected] Dr. Surendra Mahato Belarus [email protected] Mr. Sanjay Mudbhary Switzerland [email protected] Mr. Shree Napit Australia [email protected] Mr. Kapil Neupane Israel [email protected] Mr. Krishna Prasad Pandey Hong Kong [email protected] Dr. Sadhuram Pandey South Africa [email protected] Mr. Kumar Panta Germany [email protected] Mr. Neelesh Man Pradhan Bahrain [email protected] Mr. Tej Prakash Pun Libya [email protected] Mr. Ganga Raj Rai Korea [email protected] Dr. Pujan Rai Singapore [email protected] Ms. Sapila Rajbhandari Russia [email protected] Mr. Kishore Sapkota UK [email protected] Mr. Yogendra Shahi Hungary [email protected] Mr. Raju Shakya Australia [email protected] Dr. Hem Raj Sharma UK [email protected] Mr. Ashish Sherchan Qatar [email protected] Mr. Bhim Sherchan Malaysia [email protected] Mr. Arjun Kumar Shrestha Belgium [email protected] Mr. Arun Kumar Shrestha Japan [email protected] Dr. Niraj Govinda Shrestha Cyprus [email protected] Mr. Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha USA [email protected] Mr. Ramesh Shrestha Thailand [email protected] Mr. Bijaya Thapa UK [email protected] Mr. Chakra Thapa New Zealand [email protected] Mr. Kiran Bikram Thapa Japan [email protected] Dr. Suraj Bahadur Thapa Norway [email protected] 18 NRNA Position Paper on Dual Citizenship

Dr. Sudhir P. Timilsina China [email protected] Mr. Ramesh Twayana Luxembourg [email protected] Mr. Pragyan Udas Qatar [email protected] Mr. Udaya Raj Wagle Macau [email protected]

ADVISORS Mr. Indra Ban Australia [email protected] Dr. Jugal Bhurtel Russia [email protected] Dr. Dev Kaji Dangol Qatar [email protected] Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam Nepal [email protected] Bishwa Kant Mainali, Esq. Nepal [email protected] Prof. Surya Subedi UK [email protected] Mr. Sharda Jung Thapa USA [email protected]

COUNTRIES WITH NATIONAL COORDINATION COUNCIL* 1. Australia 29. Mazambique 2. Austria 30. Malaysia 3. Bahrain 31. Myanmar 4. Belarus 32. Netherland 5. Belgium 33. New Zealand 6. Cambodia 34. Nigeria 7. Canada 35. Norway 8. China 36. Oman 9. Cyprus 37. Philippines 10. Denmark 38. Poland 11. Finland 39. Portugal 12. France 40. Qatar 13. Germany 41. Russia 14. Greece 42. Romania 15. Hong Kong 43. Saudi Arabia 16. Hungary 44. Singapore 17. Indonesia 45. Slovenia 18. Ireland 46. South Africa 19. Israel 47. Spain 20. Italy 48. Sweden 21. Japan 49. Switzerland 22. South Korea 50. Taiwan 23. Kuwait 51. Thailand 24. Lebanon 52. Ukraine 25. Lesotho 53. United Arab Emirates 26. Libya 54. United Kingdom 27. Luxembourg 55. United States 28. Macau 56. Yemen

* As of 15 May 2010 NRNA TASK FORCE ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP (2009-11)

CHAIR Mr. Ram Pratap Thapa Germany [email protected]

VICE CHAIR Capt. (Retd.) Hit Man Gurung UK [email protected]

Prepared by The NRNA Task Force on Dual Citizenship (TFDC) Published by Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Designed and Printed by Ultimate Marketing Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4385610/4352223 | Website: www.marketingultimate.com The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) was organized in October 2003 during the First Global Conference of Non-resident Nepalis in Kathmandu. It represents a global network of NRN National Coordination Councils, which are now 56, and other Nepali associations and organizations in various parts of the world. NRNA's objectives are to promote and protect the interests of NRNs in Nepal and abroad; foster coordination and co-operation among NRN communities worldwide; strengthen international support for Nepal and its people, products and services, trade and industry; NON-RESIDENT NEPALI ASSOCIATION attract and facilitate direct investments, financial and otherwise, in Nepal by NRNs and others for her development. With its motto of "for Nepali by Nepali," NRNA has u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;3+ completed, initiated or planned a number of charitable projects in Nepal. It is headquartered in Kathmandu, where it maintains its secretariat with local staff. NRNA organizes a Global Conference of NRNs every two years in Nepal and a Regional NRN Conference every alternate year at a different location. The Fourth Regional Conference is taking place in May 2010 in Houston, Texaz, USA, while the Fifth Global Conference is scheduled for October 2011. u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ;:yf+ -Pgcf/PgP_ cflZjg @)^) ;fndf sf7df8fdf+} kyd| u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnL] ljZj ;Ddngsf] ] cj;/df :yflkt ePsf ] xf ] . o;n ] ljZje/L 5l/Psf xfn %^ j6f u/cfjf;Lo} /fli6o« ;dGjo kl/ifbx?\ -lkml/:t of ] kftfsf ] leqkl§ xg] ;{' _\ Pj + cGo ljleGg gkfnL] ;3;+ :yfx?sf+ ] ;hfnsf+ ] kltlglwTj| u5 { . Pgcf/PgPsf p2Zox?] xg' M\ gkfndf] tyf ljbzdf] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] xslxtsf ] ;/If0f+ Pj + kj4| g{ ug{;' ;;f/el/+ 5l/Psf gkfnL] ;dbfox?aLr' lgs6 ;xofu] / ;dGjo sfod ug;'{ gkfn,] gkfnL] hgtf, gkfnL] pTkfbg, ;jf,] pBfusf] nflu cGt/fli6{ o« ;xofu–;dy] gnfO{ { alnof ] agfpg'; gkfnsf] ] ljsf;sf nflu u/cfj;Lo} gkfnL] Pj + cGo ;f| tx?af6] gkfnsf] ] ljsf;sf nflu cflys{ Pj + cGo nufgLx? cfslift{ Pj + pknAw u/fpg ' . of ] ;:yfsf+ ] cfbzjfSo{ ægkfnLsf] ] nflu gkfnLåf/fÆ] xf ] / o;n ] gkfndf] ljleGg k/fksf/L] kl/ofhgfx?] sfofGjog{ ul/;ssf] ] 5 / ub5{} . o;sf ] :yfgLo sdrf/Lx?{ ;lxtsf ] dVo' sfofno{ sf7df8fdf+} 5 . of ] ;:yfn+ ] kTo| s] bO' { jifdf{ gkfndf] u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLx?sf] ] ljZj ;Ddng] / kTo| s] csf {] jifdf{ ljleGg :yfgdf IfqLo] ;Ddngsf] ] cfofhgf] u5 { . rfyf} ] IfqLo ;Ddng] hi7] @)^& df ;o+ Qm' /fHo cdl/sfsf] ] xo\ i6g," 6S;f;df] / kfrf“ +} ljZj ;Ddng] cfufdL cflZjg @)^* df cfoflht] xg' 5] . DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR NON-RESIDENT NEPALIS u/cfjf;Lo} gkfnLsf] nflu bfxf] /f] ] gful/stf Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Secretariat: FNCCI Building Shahid Shukra FNCCI Milan Marg POSITION PAPER Pachali, Teku cjwf/0ffkq PO Box 269, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (+977-1) 4215247/4262061 Fax: (+977-1) 4215247 APRIL 2010 E-mail: nrn.org.np Website: www.nrn.org.np rt} @)^^